I would love to be your personal shopper! I am not sure of the stores you have near you, but I’ve always found styles like Anthropologie to have just the right styles and outfit suggestions for women in their 20s & 30s. I’d browse the site and take ideas from there. Then I find that trying several different places like Target even and Gap, Banana Republic, etc. can supplement what you have in mind. Just stay away from wherever your oldest daughter likes to shop. That might be a good rule of thumb… : )

Steph

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I get my clothes from Kohl’s although, I’m not sure I’m always in style or looking my best. I’m short too…but I don’t have a little around my midsection, I have A LOT! 4 boys (2 of which were twins) will do that to you! Oh and I’m sure sitting around eating junk had absolutely NOTHING to do with that!

I’ve heard Old Navy has good jeans (never tried them though), I did go to Steve and Berry’s (not sure if you have one around there) and bought some jeans…I love them and I don’t look too bad (at least I don’t think so)…and they were only $8.96 (the Once Bitten line from Sarah Jessica Parker).

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I’m pretty tall, so this may or may not be helpful. I shop at different stores for specific things. I like the pants/shorts/capris at the Gap outlet. I get a lot of compliments on my Gap Long and Lean jeans.

For nice shirts (I hate the word blouses), I like to shop at New York & Co., Target, and Ann Taylor Loft. The department stores in the mall have been seriously disappointing, with very few exceptions.

Mama taught me to keep a prioritzed list of items when I go shopping. Go through your closet and see what you need (i.e. one frilly skirt, black pants, two camisoles) and then sort them into categories (i.e. Hunt to Kill, Clearance Only, If it Fits Perfectly, and Somewhere in Between.)

Oh, and one more thing. (This is turning into a post, isn’t it?) If you’re having a bad shopping day, don’t be afraid to giveup and go home. It’s a lot harder to return everything that didn’t fit.

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I have the same issue with that in-betweeny clothing that I just can’t find. I have no suggestions, but I wish you lots of luck!

I wear v-necked tees pretty much daily and that works for me. I’m not winning any fashion awards, but I don’t leave my house that often so I’m not overly concerned. :D

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I shop at Kohls, Old Navy, and Target mostly. For you, I’d second Old Navy for jeans. I also think they are your style for t-shirts and nicer blouses. Young but not kid young and the womens clothes go from size 1-20, so no scary separate misses section. By the way I know exactly what you’re talking about, Mervyns and Gottshalks come to mind!

Other places…maybe the The Limited, Gap, Fashion Bug. I just looked at Fashion Bug for misses sizes online and they have a very stylish, no frump misses section. So take a look there for sure!
Good Luck my friend, I HATE clothes shopping. Maybe try Ross too but I haven’t been in one for years so I don’t know what all they have anymore.

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If ever I wish I lived closer it would be now (lots of other times too) Shopping, my favorite pastime, I really think Old Navy or the Gap, but lately I have been seeing some real cute tops in Target that I think would be great for you, and because of the time of year, you should be able to get some of the deep new fall colors. I am sure you know you could check all that out online before you even go to see if anything grabs ya.

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Oh this is my CONSTANT issue. I go to Nordstrom for my jeans, and I pay out the nose, but they are SO worth it. Sevens, Joes Jeans, Paige, they’re all awesome. They make you look like a rockstar. :-) Get at least one awesome pair of jeans.

I love the Ann Taylor LOFT. They’re fairly affordable and age appropriate without being frumpy. Gap can be cute, but, as I’m going to post later today, as much as I WANT to like their stuff, I’m not sure it’s me. I am liking Banana Republic a lot lately. White House Black Market has some cute things. Big Mama always posts cute things from Forever21 on her Fashion Fridays, but when I go in that store, I’m not feeling it. Old Navy’s always worth a walk-through.

Wardrobe911 is a great website that shows you how to put outfits together. I get ideas for accessoriizing and putting colors together from her. Youlookfab is another.

Good luck! Can’t wait to see what you find!!!

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Delurking to say that I’m 26 and have the same clothes problem as you, coupled with needing cute work clothes. I do most of my shopping at Kohl’s and Banana Republic (love the outlet stores!). They have “adult” clothes that are stylish and not at all frumpy. I also love Anthropologie, but I’d have to get a second job if I wanted to build a wardrobe on their clothes! Sometimes I can find good styles at Old Navy, but it’s pretty hit or miss.

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Anthropologie. Someone already mentioned it, but I hear that’s where the well-dressed women around the age of 30 (and beyond, in my case) go. Now, the regular prices are absolutely ridiculous, but the sales aren’t too pricey (and the have one right now, lucky girl!).

I’d love to go there if I didn’t have a growing belly…then again, some of their tops are very maternity-friendly (for me).

Good luck and buy cute stuff for you!

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A few years ago I wouldn’t believe I am saying this, but Target really has some cute non-frump things. In fact, the last few things I’ve bought have been from Target. Also Ann Taylor. I like Banana Republic, too, and I really like Polo stuff. Good luck!

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just a small suggestion from a fashion non-expert, I’ve always been told a wrap top or dress helps hide the “spare tire” a bit. Maybe I’m out of the loop here, but I think they are nice…form fitting but not clingy in the wrong places. My wedding dress had the wrap thing happening, and it made me feel so comfortable with my body.

Oh by the way, the age thing, you’ll always be a kid to me ;p

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Oh, I forgot about them but I totally second the White House Black Market suggestion. I LOVE that shop!

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I am 40 and I still shop at Target, Kohls, Walmart (occasionally), Old Navy, and the clearance racks at the MALL:
JC Penny, Christopher and Banks, The Limited, Gap, Banana Republic, Payless (shoes)

Wrap dresses are great. I wear a lot of capri pants (I don’t wear shorts that much anymore.), I wear v neck tees,
sleaveless tops ( I live in NM.).

Let us know how it goes. Good luck and have fun! Invite one of us the next time would you!?

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You’ve got some great suggestions going. I would second Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Anthropologie (although a lot of their stuff is not machine washable, and when you have a two year old, I’m sorry, you need machine washable), Gap, and J. Crew. I have come to the realization as I approach my mid 30s that it is worth spending a little more on mid-range clothing. What I mean by that is, although Target is cute (and I’ll occassionally find something I like there), I spend a little more up front for something that fits better and will last over time. Also, you can find some great deals at the end of season sales at outlet stores.

As far as wardrobe pieces: I have a dark wash denim pencil skirt that I love. I wear it with everything. I’m also a huge jeans fan — at least one or two pairs of dark wash jeans (trouser style is nice). I’m addicted to casual, fitted jackets that I can throw over a tee shirt with jeans or khakis and look relatively “put together.” I know you live in the desert, so if you can find some casual cotton skirts that you can pair with a tee shirt or even a cotton wrap dress, you might find those very comfortable (I like wearing them better than shorts or capris). I have a cotton wrap dress from Banana Republic that is so soft it is like wearing pajamas — LOVE it!

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I am all about cute skirts and t-shirts. You can probably wear those year-round in AZ. Grab a cute cardigan or two.

PAY for the right jeans. You won’t regret it. Do you have a Buckle? Hands down, best jeans. Cute clothes too.

I WISH you had an H&M. When’s your next trip to CA? It’s a jackpot on style and price.

Just DO NOT get too matronly on us…. you can do this. Just remember – if you LOVE it at the store, but it’s more than you want to pay- it’s better than buying two of something that’s just so-so.

So many cute empire cut tops now should make it easy to find something to cover the tummy, well.

If you forget everything else I’ve said – don’t skimp on the jeans….

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I LOVE Nordstrom Rack in Chandler. Great prices, Stylish clothes.

Other “stand-bys” are NY & Company and Old Navy (for pants and jeans).

If I were in Cali, I’d probably also shop at H & M and Zara.

And I find cute things occasionally at JCPenney too, but that’s hit and miss.

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I recently found myself with the same problem – a closet full of nothing to wear. I discovered some amazing (and cheap – they have sales all the time) dresses at JCPenney that are absolutely great. They hide the tummy without being billowy and are perfect for going out – and they morph from casual to dressy depending on where I’m going, so I never have to worry about whether they’re nice enough for the evening.

Stuff like this, only it was much cheaper in the store – they often have an extra 20-60% off of the sale price:
http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50434&CatID=51366&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=13d6abf&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CmCatId=50434|50444|51366

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